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Best New York Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 1,798 private schools serving 430,262 students in New York (there are 4,813 public schools, serving 2,506,610 students). 15% of all K-12 students in New York attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $22,258 for elementary schools and $26,593 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in New York include Friends Academy, schooltest school 7, and Poly Prep Country Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 74% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 40% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
63% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.

Top-Ranked New York Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
35
4,937
11%
69
22,840
10%
11
1,530
6%
35
5,273
13%
85
18,506
13%
324
97,281
25%
64
10,165
9%
136
34,680
15%
203
55,348
26%
38
22,507
28%
187
48,529
15%
39
11,557
16%
74
26,297
39%
84
15,901
7%
17
1,529
7%
110
24,901
15%
12
362
12%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in New York?
The top-ranked private schools in New York include Friends Academy, schooltest school 7, and Poly Prep Country Day School.
How many private schools are located in New York?
There are 1,798 private schools are located in New York.
How much do private schools cost in New York?
The average private school tuition in New York is $22,258 for elementary schools and $26,593 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in New York?
Approximately 40% of students in New York private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in New York go to private school?
15% of all K-12 students in New York attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in New York?
63% of private schools in New York are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.
Which private schools in New York are often viewed compared to one another?

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